Welcome to Critical ThinkingSpring Semester 2018Instructor: Molly Dwyer "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."~John F. Kennedy
Course Description
Critical Thinking is the process by which we develop and support our beliefs, and evaluate the strength of arguments made by others in real-life situations. This semester we will practice some of the most central and important skills of critical thinking, and focus on applying those strategies to understanding current issues, belief systems, and ethical positions. We will analyze media, the current political environment, and our own beliefs and moral inclinations. You will learn to appraise information and influences, discuss controversial topics intelligently, and construct well-reasoned arguments on a variety of topics. The course will focus on group discussion and written analysis. This is a writing course. You will be expected to produce and share rough drafts before turning in your final version.
Course Objective
The primary objectives of this course are to impart a functional ability to reason well and to improve your analytical skills and instincts. In addition to familiarizing you with elementary methods of building strong arguments, the course is further designed to aid you in understanding the essential principles involved in the practice of reasoned decision making. The writing skills you develop in this class will serve you across all academic disciplines and in the workplace.
Student Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate skills in elementary inductive and deductive reasoning.
Identify and understand basic formal and informal fallacies of language and thought.
Identify the components of arguments and demonstrate the ability to create complex argument structures in verbal and written forms.
Course Text
Required: Writing Logically, Thinking Critically, (WLTC) 8th edition by Sheila Cooper & Rosemary Patton
Essays, Portfolio, Quiz & Oral Presentation, Final Exam
Daily In-class writing: 15 points
World View Essay:Thursday February 22 (rough draft)5 points
World View Essay: Thursday March 1 (Final Draft) 10 Points
Media Portfolio: Thursday March 22 (Media Analysis) 15 points
Ethics Essay:Thursday April 19 (Rough Draft) 5 points
Ethics Essay: Thursday April 26 (Final Draft)10 points
Quiz: Thursday May 10 (Reasoning) 15 points
Logical Fallacy Presentations: Thursday May 17 10 Points
Final Exam: Thursday May 24(In-Class Opinion Essay) 15 points
Course Requirements:
In-Class Writing: Each class we will write, generally summarizing homework or a related topic. (1 point per writing, 15 points total)
2 Graded Essays: Each paper will range in length from 1000 to 1500 words, as assigned. Each requires a rough draft. (10 points each)
2 Rough Drafts: Each rough draft grade reflects your participation in peer evaluations and revision. You must be in class the day your rough draft is due to get credit for it. Rough drafts must be turned in with final draft. (5 points each)
Portfolio: A presentation (collection) of response writings based on reading, journal material, possible creative work, images, etc. (15 points)
Science Quiz: (15 points)
Oral Presentation: Five-minute presentation to the class. (15 points)
Final Exam: You will be given a topic on the day of the final and asked to write about it in the time allotted. (15 points)
What is a Portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of materials, artifacts (writings, doodles, images, photographs, creative responses, journaling) and documentation. It will include a Double-entry Reading Log; Study aids, such as Diagrams, Vocabulary Word Lists, and Research. There is room for personal design, taste, and creativity. You will receive a handout that explains in detail what is expected. An academic portfolio should demonstrate your ability to reflect upon, synthesize, and showcase your work. Think of it as a “positive portrait” of your ability to document and track a learning experience.
Classroom Policies
Common Courtesy & Common Sense
Respect and cooperation are the core principles in this class. Show up. Be present. Be thoughtful. Get to know your fellow students.
You are responsible for the information on this syllabus. Check it before coming to class. Know what’s going to happen and come prepared. Your class participation is equal in weight to one paper, and is based on in-class writing, discussion and participation in activities.
Be on time! Coming in late is disruptive.
Three unexcused absences may result in being dropped from the class. If you have to be absent, email me, let me know.
If you have to leave class early, please tell me at the beginning of class.
Phones are to be turned off and kept out of sight AT ALL TIMES.
If you’re falling behind in class or doing poorly, set up a time to speak with me about getting help. Advocate for your own success; stay engaged.
Critical Thinking Course Outline
(Reading assignments are to be completed prior to class on indicated day!!)
Week One: Course Introduction & Requirements
THURSDAY JAN 25
In-Class Presentation: Introduction to Class & Critical Thinking Handout: Syllabus & Course Timeline In-Class Activity: Introducing Yourself In-Class Video: Artificial Intelligence from CBS 60 Minutes
Week Two: Seeing the World
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1 Handout: Essay #1— Seeing Our World Homework Due:Video: “Test Your Brain,” Paying Attention wiki site. In-Class Presentation: Paying Attention In-Class Activity: Take This Fish
THURSDAY MARCH 1 Final Paper Due: Essay #1—How Do You See the World? Handout: Media Portfolio Assignment In-Class Presentation: The Media & Its Influence In-Class Discussion: Constructing Knowledge—Deciphering Truth
Week Seven: Media & It’s Influence
THURSDAY MARCH 8 In-Class Presentation: Building Strong Arguments/Questions Worth Asking In-Class Video: The Evening News In-Class Activity: “20” Questions
Week Eight: Understanding Evidence & Opinion
THURSDAY MARCH 15 In-Class Presentation: Is Your Evidence Trustworthy? In-Class Video: Century of the Self In-Class Activity: Portfolio Work Day
Week Nine: Deconstructing Bias
THURSDAY MARCH 22 Portfolio Due: News Analysis Portfolio, short presentations of topic In-Class Activity: Evaluating Today’s Day’s news Handout: Short Story:Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
Week Ten: SPRING BREAK
No Class on Thursday March 29
Week Eleven: What is Ethics?
THURSDAY APRIL 5 In-Class Presentation: Ethics & Moral Dilemma In-Class Discussion: Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Handout: Essay #2—Making Ethical Decisions
Week Twelve: Making Ethical Decisions
THURSDAY APRIL 12 Read & Watch Video:On Ethics & Humanity wiki page In-Class Activity: National Ethics Bowl—Case Studies
Week Thirteen: Ethics & The Social Contract
THURSDAY APRIL 19 In-Class Discussion: Plato, Socrates & the Social Contract Rough Draft Due: Essay #2—Making Ethical Decisions In-Class: Peer Critiques
Week Fourteen: Inductive & Deductive Reasoning
THURSDAY APRIL 26
Final Paper Due: Essay #2—Making Ethical Decisions Handout: Oral Presentations. (Fallacies will be assigned) In-Class Presentation: Inductive & Deductive Reasoning In-Class Activity: Pattern Recognition Puzzles, Zebra Puzzle
Week Fifteen: Scientific Method
THURSDAY MAY 3
In-Class Presentation: Logic & the Scientific Method In-Class Activity: Research Project
"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."~John F. Kennedy
Course Description
Critical Thinking is the process by which we develop and support our beliefs, and evaluate the strength of arguments made by others in real-life situations. This semester we will practice some of the most central and important skills of critical thinking, and focus on applying those strategies to understanding current issues, belief systems, and ethical positions. We will analyze media, the current political environment, and our own beliefs and moral inclinations. You will learn to appraise information and influences, discuss controversial topics intelligently, and construct well-reasoned arguments on a variety of topics. The course will focus on group discussion and written analysis. This is a writing course. You will be expected to produce and share rough drafts before turning in your final version.Course Objective
The primary objectives of this course are to impart a functional ability to reason well and to improve your analytical skills and instincts. In addition to familiarizing you with elementary methods of building strong arguments, the course is further designed to aid you in understanding the essential principles involved in the practice of reasoned decision making. The writing skills you develop in this class will serve you across all academic disciplines and in the workplace.Student Learning Outcomes
Course Text
Grading
Due dates for Graded Assignments:
Essays, Portfolio, Quiz & Oral Presentation, Final Exam
Daily In-class writing: 15 points
World View Essay:Thursday February 22 (rough draft)5 points
World View Essay: Thursday March 1 (Final Draft) 10 Points
Media Portfolio: Thursday March 22 (Media Analysis) 15 points
Ethics Essay:Thursday April 19 (Rough Draft) 5 points
Ethics Essay: Thursday April 26 (Final Draft)10 points
Quiz: Thursday May 10 (Reasoning) 15 points
Logical Fallacy Presentations: Thursday May 17 10 Points
Final Exam: Thursday May 24(In-Class Opinion Essay) 15 points
Course Requirements:
What is a Portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of materials, artifacts (writings, doodles, images, photographs, creative responses, journaling) and documentation. It will include a Double-entry Reading Log; Study aids, such as Diagrams, Vocabulary Word Lists, and Research. There is room for personal design, taste, and creativity. You will receive a handout that explains in detail what is expected. An academic portfolio should demonstrate your ability to reflect upon, synthesize, and showcase your work. Think of it as a “positive portrait” of your ability to document and track a learning experience.Classroom Policies
Common Courtesy & Common Sense
Critical Thinking Course Outline
(Reading assignments are to be completed prior to class on indicated day!!)Week One: Course Introduction & Requirements
THURSDAY JAN 25
In-Class Presentation: Introduction to Class & Critical ThinkingHandout: Syllabus & Course Timeline
In-Class Activity: Introducing Yourself
In-Class Video: Artificial Intelligence from CBS 60 Minutes
Week Two: Seeing the World
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1
Handout: Essay #1— Seeing Our World
Homework Due: Video: “Test Your Brain,” Paying Attention wiki site.
In-Class Presentation: Paying Attention
In-Class Activity: Take This Fish
Week Three: What Does it Mean to be Human
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8
Homework: Video: "Test Your Brain," Perception. Perception & the Brain wiki site
In-Class Presentation: Perception & the Brain
In Class Activity: Mind Games
Week Four: Imagining the Future
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15
In Class Video: THE FUTURE wiki site, World Science Discussion, Spark of Genius: Awakening A Better Brain
In-Class Discussion: What Does it Mean to be Human?
Week Five: Constructing Knowledge—Deciphering Truth
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 22
Rough Draft Due: Essay #1—How Do You See the World?
In-Class: Peer Critiques
In-Class Video: THE FUTURE wiki site, World Science Discussion, The Mind & the Machine
In-Class Discussion: What Will the Future Look Like?
Week Six: Building Strong Arguments
THURSDAY MARCH 1
Final Paper Due: Essay #1—How Do You See the World?
Handout: Media Portfolio Assignment
In-Class Presentation: The Media & Its Influence
In-Class Discussion: Constructing Knowledge—Deciphering Truth
Week Seven: Media & It’s Influence
THURSDAY MARCH 8
In-Class Presentation: Building Strong Arguments/Questions Worth Asking
In-Class Video: The Evening News
In-Class Activity: “20” Questions
Week Eight: Understanding Evidence & Opinion
THURSDAY MARCH 15
In-Class Presentation: Is Your Evidence Trustworthy?
In-Class Video: Century of the Self
In-Class Activity: Portfolio Work Day
Week Nine: Deconstructing Bias
THURSDAY MARCH 22
Portfolio Due: News Analysis Portfolio, short presentations of topic
In-Class Activity: Evaluating Today’s Day’s news
Handout: Short Story:Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
Week Ten: SPRING BREAK
No Class on Thursday March 29
Week Eleven: What is Ethics?
THURSDAY APRIL 5
In-Class Presentation: Ethics & Moral Dilemma
In-Class Discussion: Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
Handout: Essay #2—Making Ethical Decisions
Week Twelve: Making Ethical Decisions
THURSDAY APRIL 12
Read & Watch Video: On Ethics & Humanity wiki page
In-Class Activity: National Ethics Bowl—Case Studies
Week Thirteen: Ethics & The Social Contract
THURSDAY APRIL 19
In-Class Discussion: Plato, Socrates & the Social Contract
Rough Draft Due: Essay #2—Making Ethical Decisions
In-Class: Peer Critiques
Week Fourteen: Inductive & Deductive Reasoning
THURSDAY APRIL 26
Final Paper Due: Essay #2—Making Ethical DecisionsHandout: Oral Presentations. (Fallacies will be assigned)
In-Class Presentation: Inductive & Deductive Reasoning
In-Class Activity: Pattern Recognition Puzzles, Zebra Puzzle
Week Fifteen: Scientific Method
THURSDAY MAY 3
In-Class Presentation: Logic & the Scientific MethodIn-Class Activity: Research Project
Week Sixteen: Reasoning Quiz
THURSDAY MAY 10
Reasoning Quiz: Inductive & Deductive Reasoning, Scientific MethodWeek Seventeen: Oral Presentations
THURSDAY MAY 17
Oral Presentations Due: Logical FallaciesWeek Eighteen: Finals Week
THURSDAY MAY 24
In-Class Final: Opinion Piece on Social Issue